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The patented opto-electronic oscillator (OEO) is based on an approach that is fundamentally distinct from conventional oscillators. OEwaves opto-electronic oscillator produces highly spectrally pure microwave signals using an opto-electronic feedback loop. This versatile scheme allows utilization of optical components for low loss and small size in place of conventional microwave cavities and components. The OEO is inherently less sensitive to vibration and acceleration, and gives the same spectral purity at any frequency supported by the bandwidth of its components.
Ultra-low phase noise of -163 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset for a 10 GHz carrier was demonstrated for a highly advanced OEO, unmatched by any other oscillator. Variations of the OEO architecture achieving near -145 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset were also demonstrated in a compact VME sized package (compact OEO) fixed or tunable frequency within X-Band (tunable OEO).
Accompanying our ultra-high performance OEO’s, we have recently developed and demonstrated a fast and fully automated phase noise test system. This system utilizes microwave photonics techniques for realization of a powerful capability for measurement of the phase noise of oscillators. Based on the cross-correlation homodyne technique, the powerful measurement system yields the spectral density of the phase noise of an oscillator at any operating frequency in the 1 to 40 GHz range.
The pioneering whispering gallery mode WGM optical resonators technology at OEwaves is based on the use of optically transparent crystalline material, produced with polishing techniques. WGM resonators are extremely high quality factor (Q) axially symmetric dielectric structures ranging in size from tens of microns to a few mm, and trap light for long periods of time. Resonators made with electro-optic crystals lead to extremely narrow band (1 MHz) optical domain microwave filters tunable over 40 GHz. The resonator can also be used as an ultra-high efficiency optical modulator as well as in more complex photonic receiver front ends for special applications. OEwaves is also developing miniature OEO's based on the high-Q WGM resonators, in both fixed frequency and tunable configurations.
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